Kevin Keeling checks one of the peanut plants in the hugelkultur down at the Garland Community Garden as (clockwise) Mitch McGowan of Dot Dirt, Anita Opel, Nancy Seaberg and Charles Bevilacqua watch.
Loving Garland Green is closing out 2015 with a bang. Here are just three of the many items from our action list:
IRRIGATION SYSTEM COMING FOR THE GARLAND COMMUNITY GARDEN!
Yesterday (November 3, 2015) several members of Loving Garland Green met with Mitchell McGowan of Dot Dirt Organic Landscapes down at the Garland Community Garden.
Mitch's background includes studying Bio-Chemistry and Biology at the University of Texas, Austin, from 1988 to 1992. With over 20 total years experience in the landscape industry, Mitch has designed and supervised projects including terraced flower beds and retaining walls, outdoor lighting systems, ponds and fountains, and even a professional photographer's backdrop. During the past 11 years, he founded DOTDIRT Organic Landscapes, an organic-only landscape design firm.
With clientele ranging from homeowners and ranch-owners all over the North Dallas area, to private tennis clubs, parks, and neighborhood associations, to a Highland Park hair salon, Mitch and his team design landscapes, flower beds, walls, walkways, and perform major renovations to all kinds of land areas.
We are very fortunate to have Mitch's services as he is designing and guiding us through the process of installing an irrigation system for the Garland Community Garden. He is donating his labor and expertise. Loving Garland Green will pay for the expenses of the materials though a generous donation we received from Jane and Robert Stroud.
Mitch's thorough approach to detail, background and experience inspire confidence. He will create the design and apply for a permit from the City of Garland for this project. Among other things at our first meeting yesterday, we learned about the importance of the installation of an anti siphonage device to prevent back flow from our system to city water.
Our battery operated valves will run from 9 volt batteries. These valves will also have a rain/freeze sensor. This project will progress over the winter. We hope to have at least part of it installed by the middle of March 2016. Also as a note to members: If you are interested in learning about irrigation systems, you can come help us with the labor for this project and learn as you go.
Mitch McGowan, owner/founder of Dot Dirt Organic Landscapes, is a living example of the potential that businesses and products related to urban gardening can have for an individual and also for the local economy. Mitch's business is located right here in Garland Texas. As a matter of fact, he only lives a few blocks from the Garland Community Garden. We can't get much more local than that.
Mitch and the people who work with him offer just about any type of urban gardening related services that you can imagine--from building arbors to taking care of sprinkler systems. Don't take my word for it visit his website and take a look at his before and after showcase.
http://dotdirt.com
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BEGINNING OUR THIRD ANNUAL PECAN SALES DRIVE!
We are taking orders now for delivery the first week in December. So far we have gathered 15 gallons of unshelled pecans. We will sell them shelled and by the pound. The price per pound will be set according to current market value on November 15, 2015. We plan to sell at $1.00 under market value so that we can be competitive. To place your order now, please contact us at http://lovinggarlandgreen.org/index.php/about/contact-us .
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OUR LAST 2015 YARD SALE BLAST Saturday NOVEMBER 21!
Get ready for the holidays! If you are cleaning out your closets and extra bedrooms to make a little room for guests, then give us a call at 972-571-4497. We would be happy to help you out by carting away some of your good stuff for re-use in our sale. And remember, as the cliche goes: "One person's trash is another's treasure." We are sure to have at least one treasure for you at our sale so stop by and find it! Our sale this year will be on Pebblewood Drive here in Garland. Specifics regarding time and address will be forthcoming.